Pocketpair, the developer behind the hit game Palworld, is expanding into the publishing arena with the announcement of Pocketpair Publishing. This new venture aims to support innovative game development, starting with a collaboration with Surgent Studios, known for their debut title, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, released in April of the previous year. The first project under this new partnership will be a unique horror game, distinct from the Tales of Kenzera universe.
Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim expressed enthusiasm for this new project, stating, "We noticed a pattern in the entertainment industry, and Pocketpair has given us the opportunity to make a horror game about it. Both Surgent and Pocketpair are well versed in taking risks. This game will be short and weird, and we think players will be interested in what we have to say." While the studio continues discussions about expanding the Tales of Kenzera universe, this horror game will serve as a standalone piece, marking a transition in their creative journey.
Details about the horror game, including its title and release window, remain undisclosed, indicating that the project is still in early development. This endeavor is separate from the previously announced Project Uso by Surgent Studios.
Pocketpair Publishing is not only focused on supporting Surgent Studios but is also open to pitches from other developers. Their website emphasizes a non-intrusive approach, stating, "We don't want to tell you what to do. We don’t want to take control from you. We don’t want to change your dream or push you to make a certain type of game."
John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, shared the company's vision, saying, "At Pocketpair, there is nothing we love more than games, and Pocketpair Publishing is our latest venture to help the world enjoy gaming even more. Game development comes with many challenges, but we want to ease that process as much as possible and provide an environment where creators can pursue their dreams. We are pleased to be able to support Surgent Studios’ new title as our first step. We deeply sympathize with their original ideas and passion and are honored to help them realize their vision. We will respect the autonomy and vision of developers and work together to make great games for people all over the world."
Abubakar Salim, who also has an acting background with roles in Assassin's Creed Origins, House of the Dragon, and as the protagonist in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, expressed his gratitude for being the first partner of Pocketpair Publishing. In a follow-up post on X/Twitter, he remarked, "This is the energy I want to see driving games in 2025: developers lifting each other up, creating together, and pushing the industry forward."
Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a single-player Metroidvania game that delves into themes of grief and love, received a 7/10 from IGN, with the review highlighting its emotional depth despite not revolutionizing the genre's mechanics. However, despite the positive reception, Surgent Studios faced challenges, announcing layoffs in July and further funding struggles leading to redundancy notices in October. The partnership with Pocketpair Publishing could provide the much-needed support for the studio's future endeavors.
Meanwhile, Pocketpair continues to navigate legal challenges from The Pokémon Company and Nintendo over patent infringement claims following the massive success of Palworld.
